Outside Qian Ran's dormitory, a constant crowd of admirers lingered, hoping to catch his attention.
Qian Ran was a man of principle. Despite the throngs trying to disrupt his focus, his heart and mind remained unshaken. In some sense, among the thousands of beautiful women who had feelings for Qian Ran, he had only chosen a select dozen or so. So, let's not accuse Qian Ran of being fickle—he was already quite restrained, wasn't he?
Of course, not all these admirers gathered around Qian Ran purely because of his charm. Qian Ran wasn't some irresistible incubus who could enchant everyone he encountered.
On Earth, someone as handsome as Qian Ran might have attracted a legion of adoring fangirls, but this was the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Here, people either focused on cultivation or research. Few had the leisure to engage in activities unrelated to advancing their skills.
In truth, many people frequented the area around Qian Ran's dorm to improve their cultivation.
When Qian Ran was in a good mood, he would sometimes distribute excess pills to those nearby. Why, you ask? Simply because he had more than he could ever use. Even with such extravagance, he still couldn't run out.
Even Qian Ran's least impressive pills were treasures to the students at the academy. Occasionally, when bored, Qian Ran would also guide the students in their cultivation.
Even if he didn't speak much, the insights Qian Ran casually shared often inspired significant breakthroughs. Some academy instructors had even considered asking Qian Ran for advice, though they hesitated out of pride. After all, groundbreaking ideas from a genius like Qian Ran were irresistibly appealing.
Since hanging around after class was otherwise uneventful, why not approach Qian Ran for help with cultivation difficulties? It was a no-brainer.
Xue Lingxun, having spent quite some time figuring out the situation, was left speechless.
Could Qian Ran really be this extraordinary?
As she observed the crowd around her, all wearing expressions of admiration, Xue Lingxun clenched her fists.
This was the general sentiment at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. While most detested Qian Ran's arrogance, they couldn't help but admire his strength and even fantasized about one day being as unabashedly confident as he was. Wasn't that just human nature?
Xue Lingxun, now prepared, waited nervously. She was dressed in a tailored professional outfit: a black tie snugly secured against the curve of her blouse, emphasizing her ample figure. While she wasn't as voluptuous as Cai Meier or Zhu Ying, her mature yet shapely form was undeniably captivating.
Instead of the typical black pencil skirt, she opted for fitted black shorts. Beneath the shorts, her long, slender legs were encased in sheer black stockings. The faintly translucent material added a subtle allure that could stir any onlooker's heart.
Xue Lingxun wasn't a young girl anymore. She chose shorts and stockings instead of a skirt precisely to highlight her body's curves.
While skirts had their appeal, form-fitting attire showcased a woman's assets more directly.
Baggy or concealing outfits, like skirts or trench coats, were often used to enhance or mask imperfections. But in fitted clothing, a woman's true allure was impossible to hide.
As the princess of the Dou Ling Empire and the current emperor's aunt, Xue Lingxun's regal aura was impossible to mask, even if she tried. That aristocratic elegance couldn't be altered by mere clothing.
In an attempt to blend in, Xue Lingxun tried to look like a young teacher, but the effort clashed with her natural bearing.
Her presence exuded a noble grace far surpassing that of Xu Jiujie, tinged with a faint but commanding dignity. Still, Xue Lingxun's overall demeanor leaned toward warmth.
As Qian Ran approached, every gaze in the vicinity turned to him.
Xue Lingxun suppressed her frustration and tried to appear calm, brushing her hair back with one hand. She felt a twinge of disappointment when Qian Ran seemed indifferent to her presence.
Just as she was about to give up, Qian Ran suddenly stopped.
"Hey, beautiful. My cat can do backflips. Interested in checking it out?"
Qian Ran's eyes roved appreciatively over Xue Lingxun's curvaceous figure. Her attire left no detail of her alluring silhouette to the imagination.
Here was a noble princess, the mistress of the Xuanyuan Sect, dressed so seductively. How... intriguing.
Qian Ran figured he might be the first man to see her dressed like this.
Having encountered many high-status women, Qian Ran had a grasp of their psyche. Such women were often reserved in familiar company, guarding their elegance and mystery. They would never dress like this in front of acquaintances—not even their closest partners.
This restraint created a stark contrast.
Once you understood their mindset, the phenomenon made perfect sense.
"Sure, I've never seen a cat do backflips before," Xue Lingxun replied after a moment's hesitation, her voice tinged with feigned curiosity.
A cat that can do backflips? What a terrible pickup line, she thought to herself. Still, her eyes betrayed genuine interest.
It had to be said: practice makes perfect, even for pickup lines. Qian Ran, having gone a while without needing such tactics, was a bit rusty. These days, women sought him out, not the other way around.
Not that it mattered—both he and Xue Lingxun were just looking for an excuse to interact.
The saying that women are natural-born actresses wasn't wrong. Seeing Xue Lingxun's flawless performance, Qian Ran almost believed her.
The other girls around them watched with envy as Qian Ran focused on Xue Lingxun.
Qian Ran was known for his generosity. Being noticed by him often meant access to valuable cultivation resources. Even without such benefits, many of the girls would happily accept a date with him.
Setting aside material gain, Qian Ran remained the dream partner for every girl at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. His admirers were numerous, and if he ever called, countless women would drop everything for him.
Xue Lingxun, however, was unaware of how fervently these women adored Qian Ran. She wasn't here to swoon over him—she was here to settle scores.
No matter how charming Qian Ran might be, Xue Lingxun couldn't forgive him for what he had done to Xu Sanshi. Even if Qian Ran were some kind of male succubus, it wouldn't sway her.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X